FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 
 
 
 
 
 

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. how do i gain access to the whova vitual platform?

Mental Health Association Oklahoma is proud to host the 32nd annual Zarrow Mental Health Symposium in-person on October 1st-2nd, 2026.  

The conference will take place at the Arvest Convention Center, located at 100 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK, 74103. 

2. who will attend re:connect? 

The Zarrow Mental Health Symposium historically draws nearly 800 participants from across the country to join in thoughtful, meaningful conversation and learning. Attendees represent a broad cross-section of the community ranging from nonprofits, healthcare, education, research, government, law enforcement, faith communities and tribal nations, to mental health professionals including social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed marital and family therapists, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, case managers and peer recovery support specialists, as well as individuals with lived experience, their family members, students and mental health advocates.   

3. will the sessions be recorded or live-streamed? 

Live sessions will be recorded during the event and uploaded to the agenda after the Symposium. Those recordings will be available for a limited time to earn additional CEUs. We do not plan to host a concurrent live-streamed virtual event in 2026. 

4. how many ceus are offered through this event? 

The Zarrow Symposium offers up to 15 hours of professional continuing education during the live in-person event, including up to 6 hours of ethics. With the post-event session archive, attendees will have the opportunity to view conference footage for a limited period of time to earn addition CEUs. 

We will seek accreditation from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Training Institute for 15 hours towards:  

  • Licensed Professional Counselors  

  • Licensed Marital and Family Therapists  

  • Psychologists  

  • Social Workers (CEP# 20250028)  

  • Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CEP# 20260003)  

  • Certified Prevention Specialists (CEP# 2025005)  

  • Case Managers  

  • Peer Recovery Support Specialists  

    For participants outside of Oklahoma seeking CEUs, please contact your licensing/accreditation authority to ensure they accept CEUs from our provider. 

    More information available on our CEU page. 

5. how can i connect with other attendees? 

In addition to organic interactions during conference sessions, attendees will be provided with both virtual and in-person opportunities to connect with like-minded clinicians, professionals, and exhibitors from the region. More information on networking events will be available soon! 

6. how can i become an exhibitor or sponsor?  

We are excited to provide numerous opportunities both in-person and virtually for vendors, exhibitors, and sponsors to connect with the nearly 800 clinicians, service providers, advocates, educators, law enforcement, policy makers, outreach workers, funders, city planners, and healthcare providers who attend our event. Our team is eager to integrate community partners through the in-person exhibitor hall, unique sponsorship opportunities, and high-visibility promotional materials. Please visit our Exhibitor & Sponsor landing page for more information, or contact donations@mhaok.org. 

7. is there a conference app or online platform?  

To streamline the attendee experience, the 2026 symposium will be hosted through Blackthorn. This will allow us to track registrations, communicate with attendees, log CEU activity, and provide an interactive conference app through one cohesive platform. More information will be available soon! 

REGISTRATION

1. When will I be able to register myself or a group for the conference? 

Ticket information for the 2026 Zarrow Symposium is coming soon! To stay up to date, please register for our conference newsletter. 

2. what registration options will be available? 

Discounted rates including early-bird, student tickets, group rates, and limited scholarships will be available for attendees. More information and eligibility requirements for discounted rates will be available soon. 

3. Can I transfer my registration to someone else? 

There will be a limited window for registration transfers ahead of the event for both individual and group rates. More information will be available at the time of purchase. 

4. What is the cancellation/refund policy? 

Discounts must be applied at the time of registration and are not eligible for a partial refund.  

A complete refund for conference registration will be made only if written notification is made to Mental Health Association Oklahoma on or before September 7th, 2026. There will be a $50 cancellation fee for all refunds requested after September 7th.  

No refunds will be granted for cancellations made after September 14th, 2025. Registration fees are not transferable to future events. 

SCHEDULE & CONTENT

1. where is the conference agenda? 

The conference agenda will be published through a conference guide online and in the Blackthorn app. Attendees will also receive a printed packet upon their arrival to the conference, which will include information on all speakers, sessions, and conference activities. 

2. who are the keynote and breakout speakers? 

Each year, our team is proud to present a lineup of speakers representing cutting-edge science, proven treatment methods, and global thought leadership. Historic keynotes include Dr. Matthew Desmond, Esmé Weijun Wang, Dr. Joy DeGruy, Dr. William Zangwill, and Dr. Rachel Wurzman.  

The 2026 symposium keynote speakers will be announced on our website, through our newsletter, and on our social media platforms. Please keep an eye out for updates! 

3. how do I become a speaker or presenter? 

The 2026 Call for Presenters will open soon! All submitted proposals are reviewed by our Symposium Committee, and those selected will be notified for scheduling. Sign up for updates on our Call for Presenters here. 

4. will i need to pre-register for specific sessions? 

While all speaker and session information will be available ahead of time on our website and in our conference guide for registrants to view, attendees will not need to pre-register for sessions. We encourage all participants to engage with materials and content ahead of time to build their own exciting schedule for our two-day conference! Any content missed will be available to view online after the event through our archive. 

5. will presentation materials be available?  

Yes, all presentation materials provided, including slideshows, will be available through our digital conference space. 

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATIONS

1. are there recommended hotels or special rates?  

We are excited to provide a hotel block at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Tulsa, OK! This space is connected to our conference venue, the Arvest Convention Center, by skybridge. When booking, please notify the hotel you are part of the 2026 Zarrow Symposium for exclusive rates! 

2. is parking available at the venue?   

Yes, in addition to street parking, there is a paid parking garage connected to the east side of the Arvest Convention Center. 

3. what is the nearest airport?   

Located just 10 miles away from our conference venue, the Tulsa International Airport is a short 20 minute drive from our 2026 Zarrow Symposium. 

FOOD & ACCESSIBILITY

1. are meals included? 

During the conference, lunch will be provided, in addition to light snacks and beverages. We are proud to suggest local, nearby options for both breakfast and dinner to those attending the event from out of town. 

2. will there be vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options?   

Yes, there will be limited food options for individuals with food allergies. Please make these restrictions or preferences known at the time of your registration so the team can plan accordingly. 

3. is the venue accessible for people with disabilities?    

Yes, the entire space utilized for the conference is ADA-accessible. Please indicate at the time of registration if you will need interpretation services or priority seating. More information on the facility is available here. 

4. are there nursing rooms or quiet spaces available?    

There will be designated quiet areas and private nursing rooms available and clearly marked within our conference space. Please contact Mental Health Association Oklahoma ahead of time with any other needs or concerns at zarrowsymposium@mhaok.org.